Senators: Ask Obama, Romney about deficit during debate

By TARINI PARTI

08/01/2012 11:41 AM EDT

Four senators from both parties want Barack Obama and Mitt Romney to take a stand on the Bowles-Simpson deficit plan.

Senators Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) sent a letter Wednesday to the Commission on Presidential Debates, asking that the presidential candidates be asked about the deficit at the first of their three debates.

“We request that you ask the presidential candidates which of the recommendations of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform they would adopt as part of their plan to reduce the deficit. As part of this discussion, we believe that it would be essential to engage the candidates in a detailed discussion of their priorities for tax and entitlement reform," the letter states.

“We hope that such a debate would begin a national discussion that results in a consensus that both of our major national parties can endorse to reduce the deficit and place our nation’s economy on a path to future growth.”